Thursday, May 01, 2008

State Senate approves ban on political robo-calls: "The fall campaign season could be a lot quieter for Pennsylvanians, who during the weeks leading up to the recent primary became accustomed to automated phone calls from presidential and other campaigns.

The state Senate today approved a bill preventing candidates and campaign committees from placing automated calls to residents who join a do-not-call list.

I did NOT get one single phone call in the primary campaign. Not one. We have five cell phones and two land lines. Not one. The member of the PA Senate said he thought every resident in the state had multiple robo calls.

To avoid the call, be a Libertarian. Then I'll be the only one to call you. Those Ds and Rs don't like to call me (us) -- it seems.

I think that it is much more intrusive to knock on doors than call on a phone line.

This law hinders free speech.

The ban is only against 'recorded messages' and not those made by 'live people.' That is to prevent those without big budgets to reach lots of people.

Hats off to Jim Ferlo. He voted the way I would have wanted. Senator Ferlo is on the mark with this statement.

"Free speech should trump personal annoyance and inconvenience, except in the limited case of personal cell phones which cost the owner minutes and money," Mr. Ferlo told the Post-Gazette in an e-mail message after yesterday's vote.

I also agree that it is better for our carbon footprint to NOT cut down trees, print brochures, and pay to have them delivered by snail mail. The printed propaganda is expensive and an ecological nightmare. The phone calls only use recycled electrons.

2 comments:

HARRISBURG -- The fall campaign season could be a lot quieter for Pennsylvanians, who during the weeks leading up to the recent primary became accustomed to automated phone calls from presidential and other campaigns.

The state Senate today approved a bill preventing candidates and campaign committees from placing automated calls to residents who join a do-not-call list.

"These calls are an intrusion into our homes," said Sen. Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Chester. During the recent primary, some people were receiving three or more calls a day.

The bill would apply only to calls featuring recorded messages, not those made by live people.

Approval came on a 48-1 vote with Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park, opposing.

"Free speech should trump personal annoyance and inconvenience, except in the limited case of personal cell phones which cost the owner minutes and money," Mr. Ferlo told the Post-Gazette in an e-mail message after yesterday's vote.

Automated calls cost campaigns less than media advertising, freeing up resources for candidates.

"I believe more voters are rightfully upset with nasty and trashy political brochures sent through bulk mail ... but no one would propose banning this form of free speech," he said.

Minority Whip Michael O'Pake said the calls are an annoying intrusion. They are more likely to inspire anger than participation in the political process, said Mr. O'Pake, D-Berks.

The bill now heads to the House. If approved and signed by the governor, the restriction would take effect Oct. 15.Tracie Mauriello can be reached at tmauriello@post-gazette.com or 717-787-2141.

John K. says: Ah, You might not have gotten any calls because no one but me really pays any attention to you. Oh yah, now and then Morris gives you a mention. Usually as a means to just pacify your clamour for attention.